The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-01-09
INDIANS AS GAMBLERS.
The Hand Gamo of the shoshoDos ana
Bannocks-How 1t Is Played.


The Shoshones and Bannocks, on Zoe
Shoshono reservation in Idaho have, like
most Indians, a fondness for gambling. To
an observer tho "hand game" so common
among these Indians would seem moro like
q recreation than n propensity for gam
bling, for no matter how interesting the
game may bo good humor invariably pre-
walls A party of Shoshones and Bannocks
were encamped near the station one after
noon, five OF whom--two men and three
squaws-wore deeply engrossed in the hand
game" After half an hours close attention
! managed to obtain a fair idea OF tho game.
The two men were partners and sat facing
their opponents, the three squaws. In front
Of each of the opposing sides was pile OF
twenty small sticks, to be used as count
ers," and in the center of the space inter-
vcning was tho money, some 50 or 81. Two
well polished pieces of convex shaped bono as
large as load pencil in tho largest part,
and possibly three inches in length, well
wrapped with cord or sinew for an inch or
more in the center and two pieces of the
same dimensions unwrapped or presenting
tho white surface only, constituted the gam
bling outfit.
Two OF the three squaws grasped
wrapped and unwrapped bone ono in each
hand. and together with the third squaw
began moving their hands rapidly from side
to side, describing half circlo and accom-
panying tho motion with peculiar nasal
humming. The men were now all attention,
it being their duty it seems, TO guess which
hand Of either the three squaws contained
the white bone. Whenever tho Guesser lost
ono stick from his joint pile OF twenty was
transferred TO tho pile in front OF the squaws,
and when he won, the bones, together with
one Of tho sticks, Immediately passed into his
possession. AS soon Us his partner was
equally successful it became the mems turn
TO hold the bones. Tho actions of the two
men now were slightly dissimilar to those
gone through by the three squaws. The
bones were held one in each hand as had
been done by their opponents. but instead OF
swinging tue hands hack and forth, they
were placed under tho arms, accompanied py
an UP and down motion of tho body and the
Same peculiar humming. When Squaw
made an unlucky guess she would pay the
usual forfeit, and tho man by dexterous
movement would throw both bones short
distance in the air, showing which hand held
the corded and which tho plain bono. When
changing the bones from hand TO hand be-
meath the folds of his blanket or behind his
back. his nnanouvers Wero continued until
the bones passed out Of his possession.
And so the game progressed, first one SIDE
holding the bones an then the other. AS the
bones wero changed from hand to hani be-
meath the blanket or behind the back, no
effort being made 10 cheat, and q lucky
eucsser being the only requirement OF sue
ces5ful player, the games were always OF In
finite duration, this ono in particular lasting
several hours. was unable to find out pre-
ciscly what part the third squaw took in the
game, for at no time did discover the bones
in her possession, but as the bands OF each
of the three squaws were held close together
and in the swaying motion often camc IN
close proximity to those of tho squaw sitting
next, it il probable that the third squaw was
used to Inislead the mon, who, it would
appear, we're regarded as the more skillful
plaYerS.